NEW DELHI, Oct 15: India firmly rejected Canada’s attempts to associate Indian agents with criminal gangs, following allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Official sources stated that Ottawa’s claim of having shared evidence with New Delhi regarding the Nijjar case was unfounded.
The diplomatic rift between India and Canada escalated on Monday when India expelled six Canadian diplomats and announced the withdrawal of its High Commissioner from Canada, dismissing Trudeau’s assertions that linked the Indian envoy to an investigation into the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
A source commented on Trudeau’s recent press conference, stating, “It was the same old Trudeau saying the same old things for the same old reasons.” The sources categorically denied the Canadian officials’ claims that credible evidence had been presented to India in the Nijjar case. They emphasized, “This was also repeated by their Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheelers to the press. This is simply not true.”
The Indian sources criticized Canada’s approach, describing it as vague accusations that place the burden of denial on India. Additionally, they dismissed attempts by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to connect Indian agents with the Bishnoi gang, noting that no specific details were provided during the RCMP press briefing.
The sources further expressed discontent over Canada’s targeting of the Indian High Commissioner to Ottawa, labeling it as “absurd.” They pointed out that after a year of intensive engagement with the High Commissioner, the Canadian government’s decision to target him was unwarranted.
